Mitch Langerak won’t be handed Melbourne Victory’s goalkeeper’s spot on a platter

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Mitch Langerak won’t be handed Melbourne Victory’s goalkeeper’s spot on a platter

Returning former Socceroos goalkeeper Mitch Langerak has been told by Melbourne Victory coach Patrick Kisnorbo that he might have to bide his time on the bench such has been the form of Jack Duncan.

Langerak’s J-League career with Nagoya Grampus ends this week and the star gloveman will rejoin the Victory next month after he left the club in 2010 for a lengthy overseas spell in Germany, Spain and Japan.

Many expected that 36-year-old Langerak would be slotted straight into the Victory’s starting line-up upon his return.

But the form of Duncan – who joined the Melbourne club in the off-season from Wellington Phoenix, where he was a bench-warmer – has him on track to hold his spot even after Langerak’s return.

“I’ve told him (Langerak) that if Jack is playing well, you’re just going to have to wait for your opportunity,” Kisnorbo said ahead of the Victory’s clash with Perth Glory on Sunday at AAMI Park.

“It’s not about names. Jack’s been doing well, so he gets rewarded for his performances.

“At the moment, Jack is our number one … and if Jack is in for the whole season, he’s in for the whole season.

“I know how great Mitch is, but I’m not going to change just because of Mitch coming here … because the team is doing well.”

That’s despite Kisnorbo’s admiration for Langerak.

“We can’t wait to have him here. He’s a great man, will be a great person to have around the club, and we’re very excited for him to come here,” the Victory boss said.

The Victory will chase back-to-backs wins on Sunday after beating Western United 3-1 at AAMI Park last weekend.

Strikers Nikos Vergos and Bruno Fornaroli, who are competing for the starting centre-forward role, both scored in the win, with veteran Fornaroli finding the back of the net for the first time this season after replacing Vergos during the second-half.

“You can’t always make everyone happy,” Kisnorbo said.

“The competition we have here is great. It has its challenges, (but) it’s a great headache to have.”

The Glory are yet to win this season, having picked up just two points from six matches.

“I don’t like to speak too much about (other teams) just out of respect,” Kisnorbo said.

“We’re just concentrating on ourselves. There is always room for improvement, and we always try to get better and better.

“You can’t be complacent here because we’re a competitive group, and there are always spots available.”

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